Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-12
BEECHER'S FLORAL BIER
IHE REMAINS LYING IN STATE
IN THE CHURCH.

impressive Services in Plymouth and
Ne1ghboring Edifioes Attended by
$4,000 People-Thousands Take
Last Lock at the Lifeiess Face-To-
Day to Mark the End.
NEW YORK, March 11.-All Brooklyn
was In mourning to-day over the death of
heV. Henry Ward Beecher. The public
Offices were closed, business entirely sus-
pended, and memorial services held in a
large number of churches in the vicinity
oil plymouth church. The uptown streets
looked deserted. AS early as 7 O'Clock
Fulton avenue was thronged with people
hurryiug in the direction OF Plymouth
church. Lines of police were stationed
at the ends of the block on which the
church is situated, and no one was al
lowed to pass through the lines unless
he had a ticket. Before s o'clock the
line in Orange street was two blocks
long and three abreast. The side streets
were packed with people, who hung
around hoping that they might be able to
get 10 without ticket. The members OF
Plymouth Company G, of the Thirteenth
regiment, of which Mr.. -Beecher was
Chaplain, were stationed at the doors of
Ju6 CuuIcu ana lecture room.
A GARDEN OF FLOWERS.
The whole interior was turned into
perfect flower garden, and the fragrant
perfume OF roses pervaded the air. The
walls, galleries and organ were covered
with evergreans and Gala lilies. The
reading desk was covered with French
roses and vines, as was also the chair in
which Mr.. Beecher sat for so many
years. A floral emblem was in the shape
of triangle, on top of which were per-
ched two white doves, with white ribbons
in their bills. The facade of the gallery
discovered with p0tted plants. The pull
pit was loaded down with flowers and
floral emblems sent by friends and diff
ferent organizations. The casket was
placed on catafalque of white roses,
white carnations and smilax directly in
front of the reading desk. Several ladies
devoted their time before the doors We're
opened in covering the casket with lilies
of-the-valley, eucharist roses, smilax,
maiden hair ferns, tube roses and French
moss.
NO VEsTIGE OF BLACK.
When they finished not vestige of the
black cloth covering of the casket could
be seen. There was nothing to indicate
the presence OF death except the stiffness
which pervaded the room and the hushed
conversation OF the workers. The church
had more the appearance of wedding
than funeral. A photographer took
picture OF the floral decorations and
casket. 1t was nearly 10 O'Clock before
the doors were thrown open to those who
had been waiting impatiently for nearly
three hours. Tae people entered by the
Orange street entrance. The first
four seats on the right of
the centre aisle were reserved
for relatives of the deceased. Mr.. Beech
er's family were not present, and the
family pew was filled with flowers. Mrs.
Beecher was in the church tor a few
minutes before the doors were opened
and left with her sons before the crowd
entered. On the left side of the centre
aisle were the members OF the Clerical
Union, of which Mr.. Beecher was men,
Der for a number of years. Behind these
were seated the officers OF the Thirteenth
regiment, and then came the members of
the Legislative committee, VINO wore
badges of white silk. Behind these were
seated delegations from nearly every So
cial, political or religious organization in
New York and Brooklyn. There was
large delegation Of colored ministers
present.
BEGINNING OF THE SERVICES.
At 10;3O O'Clock Rev. DR.. Charles Fl.
Hall, robed in his white surplice and
accompanied by Rev. 5. B. Halliday, en-
tered the church and ascended the plat
form. When the music ceased DR.. Hall
commenced to read in low but clear tones
the opening sentences of the Protestant
Episcopal burial service. After these a
double qusrtette, composed OF Mrs.
Shelley, sopranos; Miss Cavsnah,
alto; Mrs. Grant, soprano; Mrs.
Rosan, alto; Mr.. Gatf, Mr.. Warrenroth,
tenors; Mr.. Brown, Mr.. Stews, basso,
and a chorus of sixty voices sang the
burial chant, "Lord, let me know mine
end.o The lesson was read by DR.. Hall,
and prayer was delivered by Rev. s. B.
Halliday. The rest of the musical pro-
"Blessed are the Departed, ,"Sp0hr; hymn,
Jesus, Lover of My soul" zundl; sen,
tence, II heard a voice." Shelley; hymn,
Clark, Hark, My Soul" The organ was
presided over by Henry Eyre Brown and
Gen. H0ratio g. King.
THE GRAFTON.
After the first lesson, DR.. Hall COM
menced his oration. During it's delivery
there was not dry eye in the house, and
several times be was compelled to stop
for a short time to gain control of his
voice. DIR. Hall pronounced the benedic-
tion. and the vast audience slowly filed
out of the church. 1t was notable
gathering. and one long to be renem bered
by those present.
y The other churches in which services
were held were all crowded to the utmost
extent of their capacity. Not u vacant
seat, not an unoccupied foot OF standing
room was there in Plymouth church. The
surrounding streets III all directions were
crowded with people waiting patiently
for their turn to gaze upon the face of the
dead preacher. 1t is estimated that fully
$4,000 people attended the services in the
various churches, and tbaE fully twice
that number were ga1heIe11yWn streets
in the neighborhoOdGeeS yfnoutl church.
VIEWING THE REMAINS.
After the conclusion OF the services at
Plymouth church the public was admit
ted to view the body as 1t laid IN state.
The people were formed in line along
Orange ana down Henry streets, with
policemen every few yards TO keep late
comers from breaking in. In short
time the line extended for two blocks,
and Two hours after the doors were
thrown open the line was nearly a quar-
ter OF q mile long, or three times the
length OF that OF the previous day. The
people filed in the church two abreast,
divided the file at the coffin and passed
on and out through the meeting room In
rear of the church. Company q had
men posted along the aisles, and they